After using the Harlowe Mini Photo Video Light for a few weeks, it has quickly become my go-to option for tech photography and video. It is solidly built, offers impressive features and comes in a package that is easy to carry or set up at home. Weighing about one pound and small enough to fit into a backpack or gear bag, this 20-watt bi-colour LED light is earning a place among creators who prioritize portability without sacrificing reliability or light quality.
Unpacking the light, I was struck by the presentation. My first impression was clear: the Harlowe Mini’s design leans into retro aesthetics, with vegan leather accents and a robust cast aluminum chassis that feels premium in the hand. The build quality is further elevated by elegant knurled control knobs and a bright HD LED screen that provides crisp, easy-to-read information. Even before it is powered on, the light makes its case as a purposeful piece of gear suited for both studio use and unpredictable conditions in the field.
Even though it is a striking device, the Harlowe Mini Photo Video Light is also highly functional. Its adjustable lens transitions smoothly from a 15-degree focused spotlight to a 45-degree flood, accommodating everything from crisp product shots and macro details to wider fills for environmental portraits or YouTube intros. Colour temperature ranges from 2700K to 6500K, controlled with satisfying precision by tactile rear dials. Colour accuracy is excellent, with CRI and TLCI both scoring above 96, offering confidence that skin tones and product hues remain true when using the Harlowe Mini.
I was initially concerned the Harlowe Mini might struggle with battery life, given its portable design, but the integrated lithium-ion cell performs well: about 50 minutes at full power, which is enough for most run-and-gun shoots or interviews. For extended use, Harlowe’s optional 95kWh external V-mount battery boosts runtime to more than six hours—a thoughtful nod to field shooters with unpredictable schedules. Quick top-ups over USB-C keep downtime minimal, while the included magnetic mounting system with V-mount support adds flexibility, allowing the Mini to attach securely to tripods, cameras or any other available rigging point.
“The Harlowe Mini’s design leans into retro aesthetics, with vegan leather accents and a robust cast aluminum chassis that feels premium in the hand.”
Much like with the Harlowe Max, there are several configurations available for purchase. The Standard Kit, which we received for review, includes essentials such as barndoors, colour gels, a charger and a sturdy case. Spending a little more for the Creator Kit adds a desktop tripod, cold shoe and ball head adapters, and a ball head tripod mount. Every attachment, from soft domes to honeycombs, fastens with satisfying magnetic clicks, making it easy to swap modifiers in fast-paced settings. Even with the Standard Kit, you have nearly everything needed to get started, and the intuitive design ensures you can capture impressive results with minimal effort.
Controlling the Harlowe Mini is straightforward, and within a few minutes, you can have it set up and running. With seamless 0–100 percent dimming, direct switches for fan operation and quick toggling between key lighting modes, the light keeps setup simple. The fan—often a weakness for compact lights, at least in my experience—operates at an ultra-low 22 dB, functionally whisper-quiet in most environments and avoiding the hum that can spoil audio. In my testing, I barely noticed it and had to listen closely to confirm it was running. For those who prefer absolute silence, the fan can be disabled at the cost of some thermal performance.
While I found the Harlowe Mini easy to use overall, the company has raised the bar by including app integration. Users can connect to the light via Bluetooth or NFC, enabling remote control of brightness, colour temperature and lighting effects. Options include strobes, flickers and cycling hues for creative set-ups. The app also provides presets for quick scene shifts, while wireless pairing of multiple Harlowe lights allows for a cohesive setup, whether in a home office or on location.
I have been using the Harlowe Mini around the CGM offices since we received it for review, and I have also taken it out on a range of shoots. I am impressed with its performance. This light excels at portraits, still life and product photography, and it would also work well to add mood to one-on-one interviews. The ability to focus the beam, adjust warmth and soften light with modifiers makes it adaptable for both macro detail and broader fills—essentially a micro-studio in the palm of your hand. Even better, it works great for smartphone photography, mirrorless cameras, and even delivers good results with budget lenses, provided you take the time to set up your shots.
Output is measured at 28,888 lux at half a metre and 6,500K, positioning the Mini as a strong contender for most tasks short of overpowering direct midday sun or filling cavernous rooms. In lower light, such as after sunset or indoors, its punch and control stand out, reducing noise and restoring richness to both video and stills. For creators seeking a companion for quick shoots on the go, the Mini delivers substantial power in an incredibly compact form—exactly what pickup-and-go shooters often need.
“While I found the Harlowe Mini easy to use overall, the company has raised the bar by including app integration.”
I was surprised at how well-made the Harlowe Mini is. While it evokes a retro style with distinctive design elements, it also delivers on performance, providing a lightness as robust as some of the best lighting equipment I have used from decades ago, albeit in a smaller package. The chassis withstands the rigours of frequent travel, and the accessory system allows the Mini to integrate seamlessly into larger lighting setups or stand confidently on its own for solo shooters. Most importantly, it fits into workflows that require reliable, colour-accurate light without unnecessary bulk or complicated setup routines.
While the Harlowe Mini Photo Video Light offers strong performance, it is on the expensive side, especially compared with cheaper alternatives on sites such as AliExpress. Still, it falls within a mid-to high-level investment range, so the price is not unreasonable: the Standard Kit is listed at $299 and the Creator Kit at $399. Given how well the light delivers on its promise and the fact that it is built to last, if you can invest in the gear, you will end up with a better light and an improved setup for all your future work.
If it is not already clear, I love the Harlowe Mini Photo Video Light. It delivers where it matters most, and the full package provides nearly everything needed to elevate production values in video, photography or anything in between. Designed for content creators, photographers and video professionals alike, it stands apart from the glut of plastic LEDs not by overwhelming with raw power, but by offering consistent, nuanced illumination and a sense of purpose in every detail. Whether your workflow shifts from desktop to field, portrait to product or podcast to impromptu interview, the Harlowe Mini Photo Video Light is built not only to keep up but to play a starring role in your gear lineup.
- Who the Light is for: The Mini 20W photography light was designed for content creators such as phtographers, videographers, livestreamers, youtubers, tiktokers, vloggers, influencers, etc. in studio or travel as photography lighting, video lighting, podcast light, vlogging light, filming lights, etc.
- How to Use the Light: The Harlowe Mini lights could be used as keylight for photoshoot, fill light together with other lights, accent light, hair light, contour light, back light, camera light, film light, etc. on light stands, tripods, handheld or on camera.
